state fair food reviews
Use these guides to explore the fair
13 must-try Minnesota State Fair delicacies
Set aside the Pronto Pups and mini doughnuts. Here are 13 lesser-known treats recommended by critic Rick Nelson.
53 new foods at the Minnesota State Fair, ranked from best to worst
The Minnesota State Fair's 2019 new foods roster includes the perennial mix of attention-seekers, potential gut bombs and trend-observant hopefuls.
Open wide: We try all the new State Fair foods — and tell all
Our Rick Nelson is in for a marathon day at the State Fair, sampling every new food offered for 2019. Let out your belt and follow along.
Review: Counting Crows, the Wallflowers deliver '90s favorites and then some at State Fair
It was a new-look Adam Duritz but the same old rewarding poetic storyteller.
Review: Counting Crows, the Wallflowers deliver '90s favorites and then some at State Fair
3 things our restaurant critic can't wait to eat at the Minnesota State Fair
Rick Nelson is here to answer any and all dining-related questions. Send your queries to rick.nelson@startribune.com.
What beer goes best with cheese curds? The best State Fair food pairings
When it comes to food and drink at the State Fair, it's a great Minnesota pair-together.
53 new beers, ciders, hard seltzers, wines announced for Minnesota State Fair
Those include the "Berry Manilow" and the "Kirby Pucker." Get it?
Ranking every new Minnesota State Fair food from best to worst
It was a banner year for new food at the fair, and our restaurant critic tried every single new offering.
13 great places to eat breakfast at the State Fair
Insiders know that an ideal time to enjoy the Minnesota State Fair is in the morning.
How our food critic tackles 40 new Minnesota State Fair foods in one day
For 20 years, Rick Nelson has walked calmly into the fair's chaos of consumables and separated the edible from the inedible.
Minnesota State Fair's Corn Roast becomes third stand to be certified kosher
It follows the previous certifications of Fresh French Fries and Sweet Martha's Cookie Jar.
Bacon ice cream, bacon beer: Minnesota State Fair goes hog wild for bacon
It's the year of bacon at the Great Minnesota Get-Together.
Ranking all 47 new foods at the Minnesota State Fair (and where to find them)
47 new foods. Ten hours. One critic. Rick Nelson sampled it all at the State Fair; $450 later, here's his take.
Stick with these Minnesota State Fair classic foods
Many foods introduced at the Minnesota State Fair fade into obscurity. But each year, a few take on a classic, Pronto Pup-like stature.
Eight great State Fair food stands
The Minnesota State Fair features nearly 500 food items (and yes, more than 80 are served on a stick), sold at 300-plus vendors. Restaurant critic Rick Nelson salutes eight of his favorites.
A mouthful: Rick Nelson tries all the new fair foods — and tells all
Star Tribune restaurant critic Rick Nelson put in a marathon day at the Minnesota State Fair, attempting to sample every new food offered for 2016. Let out your belt and follow along.
Open wide: Rick Nelson tries new fair foods — and tells all
Star Tribune restaurant critic Rick Nelson is done after a marathon day at the Minnesota State Fair of sampling every new food. Need ideas?
A day full of eating: Rick Nelson tries new fair foods — and tells all
Star Tribune restaurant critic Rick Nelson is in for a marathon day at the Minnesota State Fair, attempting to sample every new food offered for 2017. Let out your belt and follow along.
Twin Cities chefs share their State Fair food favorites
What's on your list of once-a-year treats at the Minnesota State Fair? We asked a dozen Twin Cities chefs for their favorites.